Editor's note: Every NFL team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open Tuesday and the draft April 25-27. This is the final report in 32 days by Sporting News NFL correspondents, who will analyze the offseason game plan for each team.

TALENT OVERVIEW

For the first time since 2000, the Chargers roster will be retooled without the input of A.J. Smith. The former general manager, fired after the 2012 season, was the assistant GM for two seasons before taking over personnel decision in 2003. Norv Turner is also gone, replaced by Mike McCoy.

New GM Tom Telesco has quite the project ahead—primarily in rebuilding the offensive line and retooling the defensive backfield. It is possible the team could start 2013 with four new starters on the offensive front, but that is easier said than done. There will also be a new starting safety and almost certainly will be two new starting cornerbacks.

The Chargers also must find a new starting inside linebacker and depth at the position after releasing Takeo Spikes. And they need depth at outside linebacker, as two of their four top outside linebackers are unrestricted free agents.

KEY DEPARTURES

Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips is not an elite pass rusher, but he did lead the Chargers with 9 1/2 sacks and was as close as the Chargers had at the position to a player other teams had scheme for. He will command more money than the Chargers could (or should), but the loss means much pressure on Melvin Ingram’s development and on Telesco to re-sign Antwan Barnes and/or get another pass rush specialist.

Veteran cornerbacks Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer will almost certainly be allowed to depart in free agency, which means 2011 draft picks Marcus Gilchrist and Shareece Wright could have to start.

The release of Takeo Spikes leaves a leadership void, but the team would do well to bring back Demorrio Williams to share time with Jonas Mouton or someone else at "Mike" linebacker.

NEEDS/TARGETS

1. Offensive tackle. The Chargers are faced with possibly having to replace both tackles, even though they have both under contract. Jared Gaither was a monumental bust due to what was perceived widely inside as his unwillingness to come back from injury.

Jeromey Clary’s middling skills simply aren't seen as good enough for a team that has to be better in protecting the quarterback and running the ball. The Chargers have put out the word that they are, essentially, going cheap elsewhere to devote resources to rebuilding the line, but they have also expressed that the free agent tackle market has more sexy names than actual talent worthy of big money.

2. Guard. Both starting guards are unrestricted free agents. The Chargers have identified re-signing right guard Louis Vasquez as their top priority, though they are waiting to the last minute to actually show him, and that could backfire. Vasquez had his best season in 2012, making him an attractive mid-level free agent. The team has expressed interest in former Bills guard Andy Levitre. They have Johnnie Troutman waiting and will likely draft a guard in the first three rounds as well.

3. Cornerback. The Chargers drafted Gilchrist in the second round and Wright in the third in 2011, but both have struggled to some extent with injury and have not played much. The team has targeted free agent Jerraud Powers as a replacement for one of their departing long-time starters, and it will likely be a battle between the two youngsters for the other spot. There is an outside chance that if the offensive tackles are gone by the time the Chargers pick 11th that they could draft Desmond Trufant of Washington.

4. Strong safety. With Brandon Taylor (ACL) not a sure thing to be healthy by the start of the season and unproven anyway, the team is looking to forge competition at this spot. They let go of Atari Bigby, who could give them nothing on special teams. They likely will try to bring back veteran Corey Lynch and also search the market for a player who could become their seventh starting strong safety in 10 years.

5. Outside linebacker. Larry English likely has one more year to justify being a first-round pick in 2009. Melvin Ingram better justify his being a first-round pick in 2012. The Chargers will let Phillips walk, but they will focus on cheaper backups such as bringing back Antwan Barnes. Not that the Chargers have the means, but with Jarret Johnson and Ingram as starters, there is no reason to go for one of the big names available.

ACEE’S TAKE

The Chargers have flexibility if not abundant cap space, but they have too many moves to make for there to be exceeding optimism for an immediate turnaround. However, Telesco was part of a patchwork job in Indianapolis that resulted in the Colts going 11-5 and making the playoffs in 2012. He has a franchise quarterback, and with a few shrewd moves on the offensive line and a couple things going right that have not recently (like a season without so many injuries and Ryan Mathews living up to his potential), the Chargers could challenge to end their three-year playoff drought.